Database Info

No GPS in Navigation?

Can't get a GPS lock when using the turn-by-turn nav. It says "Searching for GPS" for like 5 minutes.
Anyone else have this problem? This is on the EP3 leak as well as the EP1Q leak.

Download faster fix from the market, I had the same issue. Now it locks on immediately
Sent from my SCH-I510 using XDA App

Any options/ideas for non rooted phones?

Download an app called GPS Status from the Market. Start it up, go into the menu, and select "Manage A-GPS State". Reset A-GPS and then downloan new A-GPS data. Go back to the main screen of the app and leave the phone with a clear view of the sky. You should see the visible satellite count (the second number) go up pretty quickly, but it may take a while for the empherisis data to finish loading from them...5-15 minutes at the long end. Once that's done, you should be able to get a lock pretty quickly from that point on, so long as you start up the GPS and let it get a GPS lock at least once every two or three days.
EDIT: I just wanted to make a note here, after seeing all of the "GPS sucks" threads about this phone, that people have gotten very spoiled by modern handheld GPS units with ultra-high sensitivity, 20+ channel receivers. This device is a phone that has a very capable GPS chipset, but it doesn't have the receiver sensitivity of a dedicated unit, and you can't expect it to perform as such. According to the GPS standard, it's perfectly expected for a GPS unit to take up to 15 minutes or longer to get a location fix if it is starting up cold...that is with no almanac data stored. The AGPS states will contain some of this, but some of it still has to come straight from the satellites...namely the empherisis data that tells the *exact* current state of the satellite in use and the rest of the constellation. Modern dedicated GPS units have receiver sensitivities so high and have so many receiver channels that they can poll a lot more satellites a lot more quickly and effectively than this phone can in order to build this almanac initially, and even then, it can take a couple of minutes. Once the almanac is built, the course satellite data will be available for a few days out, and as long as it stays up to date, the system will only have to make small corrections. Once the almanac expires, the system has to rebuild it from scratch, and that takes a while, as the system bandwidth of GPS is quite small.

GPS Fixer (GPS + Glonass) (download mirror added)

GPS Fixer - GPS + Glonass
First of all i never found issue in GPS fixing, but y'day was just free and surfing XDA for some good stuff. I have seen many threads regarding GPS fix on various device. so I have downloaded them and checked for curiosity. Also I have plenty of ROMS there on my PC so I have explored SGS1/SGS2 (Non Glonass) device and look for GPS config. Surprisingly all I have found in flashable zip OR aroma installer was all having old configuration which was used in Non Glonass device.
Samsung using only one conf that is for north america.(this what i have seen on many ROMs I have explored). But still samsung stock conf are different on glonass devie and are better.
Who are not knowing about Glonass, just to add in note series we have GPS + Glonass system for better and speedy position tracking. Glonass (Global navigation satellite system) is differenet from GPS )Global positioning system) and launched by Russia. So if you use older configuration there won't have benefit of glonass on your device.
So really I do need to use GPS fix?
No, Really I never have any issue with stock settings. But if you have any issue with fixing you can try this. Also if you have fixed with other tool that may have old configuration then you can try this.
What is difference from other GPS fix
As earlier I have said many i have downloaded from different forum on XDA have old non glonass config. Which really won't get any benefit but worsen fixing time. Also someone have asked me about known tool on market Faster Fix, So I have downloaded and tried that but surprisingly that also having non glonass settings. I have took some screenshot and will post here at end of post.
How I can know My setting using Glonass setting
Just install GPS test from market and check satellite number you are getting (I will add image at end of post). If you are not getting/rarely getting view of satellite number >65 then your setting are using non glonass conf.. Also when you select satellite position view in GPS Test app, Glonass satellite you can see in symbol of Triangle while GPS are round.
How do I test new Settings
-If you applying new setting with other tool/Application then you should clean data of GPS (data/gps - remove all files from here), bcoz your old data may help new setting to fix bit faster depending on location history but it won't catch new when you move to different place and give you false result. first apply new settings then clear data from data/GPS and reboot device. After Rebooting open GPS test application and look for time taken to fix (satellite postion view will show you time)/Number and type of satellite as well accuracy.
So best way to test
-In case you want to test this tool, simply flash it with aroma, this tool auto erase old data. After rebooting check with GPS test as said above.
Some results
Ok so here screenshots with Non Glonass configuration 1.With Non glonass continental setting 2. Non Glonass country setting
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
So what we can interpret here is with this setting none of glonass satellite used to FIX GPS. First image showing satellite number is between 02-25 and second image between 03 -32 but none of it having number more than 65 which indicates Glonass. Also you can see accuracy is also not good. select country setting it was bit approved but time was same on both.
Using This tool with 1.Continental setting 2.Country settings3.stellite position view
You can see here in first image there are 5 glnass satellite there (representing between 65-87) while second image have 3 glonass satellite (72-86)
Also you can see accuracy are much better than non glonass setting. third image is satellite position view with continental setting, you can see there are many triangle symbols which represents Glonass satellite. Also note time took to fix was just 8sec. Again to remind you i was in side Room not under sky directly throughout all tests.
Faster Fix result
Here satellite position view with using faster fix with country settings
Here you can see there is no glonass satellite used to fix position and time took to fix also longer.
Conclusion :
- If you don't have any issue on stock default setting then no need to do anything.
- If you are using custom setting, then clean data from data/GPS folder (remove all files under it) reboot device and carry out test. If it doesn't use glonass satellite to fix, you should update your settings with attached tool.
- I don't find much improvement in continental and country setting, Best result I got is with my continent. so no meaning to make different settings for every country, remember samsung using only one continental setting for all (north-america). But if you are not happy with your continent settings you can try others, it may depends on pool server.
Hope this may help to understand GPS fixing better way !
No need to post lots of screenshot unless you unable to interpret it bcoz I don't wish this thread to be screenshot repository like on battery/score statistic. I have attached here for just better undertandings. Though your result sharing will be highly appreciated and will help to others.
PS : Not disrespect for tools i have tested but I like to credit them for their great work, just issue is database used was old and for non glonass device and samsung also no more using it on glonass device.
Download
DrKetan_GPSFix_Aroma
Mirror http://d-h.st/5gG

Some useful information about GPS and Glonass
GPS stands for Global Positioning System and is a satellite based positioning system owned and maintained by the US Air Force. The GPS system currently contains 31 active satellites transmitting signals. GPS is used by millions of civil devices to calculate the position.
GLONASS stands for Globalnaya Navigatsionnaya Sputnikovaya Sistema and is also a satellite based positioning system but is owned and maintained by the Russian Space Forces. GLONASS development started in 1976 but it was not until October 2011 that full global coverage with modern satellites was achieved with 24 active satellites. Hence the number of GLONASS-only devices is very limited.
How GLONASS improves positioning
It’s simple math – by supporting both systems in a receiver, the number of available global satellites increases from 31 to 55. Therefore, more geographic locations are able to receive four or more signals from satellites, which in turn means more successful position calculations and also better accuracy of the calculated positions in challenging environments.
To save power, the GLONASS receiver is only activated in problematic locations, such as in an urban environment with high rise buildings. Therefore, if you are in an open sky environment where there are enough GPS satellites available to calculate a good accuracy position, GLONASS will automatically be switched off temporarily to enhance the battery lifetime.
the region of coverage of GLONASS is at upper northen hemisphere & lower southern but not good near equator due to inclination of satellites.

What is the difference with FasterFix?

I have just installed faster fix and checked, i can't believe this also using same pool like I said above. Yes it does have also old pool settings and may worsen than stock.
I have captured screenshot of faster fix test too. It took 46sec while this tool with my continent setting took just 14sec.
Sent from my GT-N7100 using xda premium

OP Updated now.

I presume that this would work on N7105 as well?

I have check on N7100 conf file and it's bit different than on N7100.
So before using better make backup. Path of files is same but settings are different, so in case it doesn't work then you can restore it.

Works fine on my t0lte with android 4.3. Earlier i had problem to lock GPS and now it seems to lock as it should. :good:
Edit:I was too early. Still searching GPS. Weired, GPS test app locks almost right away but system just searching.

If gps test fixes correctly then may be other issue on system. Have you not used application/setting to restrict location for some app.?
Sent from my GT-N7100 using xda premium

Yes i think it`s caused by a system cos every GPS software i use works just fine (i`we got FIX almost immediately). I have lot`s of system applications witch uses location, but is it a-gps or GPS, i don`t know. I wonder, you mean something to folder /data/gps. I checked that folder and it`s empty.

Any app using location uses A-GPS when GPS is off, You need not to wipe data/gps folder if you have used tool in OP, as this script itself wipe it and that's why your folder is empty. As you have stated every app fixes it immediately then when you getting issue (searhing)?

dr.ketan said:
Any app using location uses A-GPS when GPS is off, You need not to wipe data/gps folder if you have used tool in OP, as this script itself wipe it and that's why your folder is empty. As you have stated every app fixes it immediately then when you getting issue (searhing)?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Every now an then. When i take phone out of my pocket and unlock it, there is in notificationbar GPS icon and notification says searching gps signal. So it must be related to system. The problem is that i think searching eats lot of battery.
I can solve issue by disabling GPS and enabling that again. But it come back in a moment.

clean your system by factory reset , if you have lots of data then use taker for auto GPS ON/Off for certain application(which you want to have GPS ON) only. This will auto ON GPS when your defined app open, and auto off when you exit that app. This also save battery as GPS will remain ON only when you needs. also you have not to do it manually everytime.
I am using it and if you need profile i will give you.

I do factory reset every time i flash new Rom, and this is only android 4.3 issue. I searched on the net for "searching for gps android" and find multiple similar problems.
I installed app Gsam, and it shows that android system was using gps for 7 hours and some minutes. So it is system related.
I read somewhere that problem occurs only indoors. That might explain why navigation apps works, cos i use those only outdoors. I have to check if android gps cannot get fix in outdoors.

I did some more researching. When that "searching GPS signal" appears in notification panel i went outdoors and launched GPS test app (phone was idle). App didn`t get FIX at all. So i go settings and disabled the gps and right away i enabled it and then launched the gps test app. And, bam. FIX right away.
So that must be something about system.

This are a few screenshot showing how fast my phone's GPS locks. I just used FasterFix once and set it to Europe. I'm indoors by the way, above me is the ceiling and the roof.

Delete data /gps folder contents and check.
If your old data have glonass satellite saved then you can see. I have tried more than 5 times but no glonass satellite was used to fix gps on faster fix.
This thing I have mentioned in op too.
Basically our note2 gps is really nice and unless we have issue we don't need fix.
Also you can check your gps.conf file, it will have same settings as it was used on non glonass device.
Sent from my GT-N7100 using xda premium

So, I deleted the gps.conf content and cleared a-gps data but still was able to get lock and see the glonass satelites. Am I doing something wrong or what?
I installed your zip after that and didn't see any difference.
Sent from my GT-N7100

Use faster fix - manually delete contents of data/gps folder - Reboot
check
screenshot showing you applied from faster fix.
What files you can see in data/GPS folder?

I have Re Tested again and result is same as i have stated in OP.
I have installed faster fix and 4 time tested and not single time it get fixed with glonass. I have used same europe setting like you. Also it took long time to fix.
And after using Europe setting with tool. you can see glonass satellite here.
So may be data have not been cleared (also needs reboot after deleteing gps folder contents) Can you check again what files you have deleted to clear contents.

Best *satellite* GPS Device (no AGPS)

Hello,
Which android device has the best satellite GPS? Note: I am asking purely about the satellite-gps, not AGPS or anything else that doesn't depend purely on satellites in the sky.
Also, is there a website that lists which phones use which hardware GPS chips? Excluding software AGPS, this is entirely a hardware question. So if I can eliminate ****ty phones with known pure-gps problems, I can check the chip and eliminate a slew of other devices that won't serve as a useful alternative.
To clarify "best":
[a] high-availability (ie: always able to get a lock, even if it takes an hour)
fast lock time
[c] accuracy
In my case, I absolutely require [a], and I am far more interested in having than [c]. Inaccuracy within ~200m is fine.
Background: I'm looking for an old, small, used android device that I can pickup on ebay for bicycle touring. This phone will be rooted without gapps, running osmand with downloaded maps.
When traveling down a deserted road in, say, Cambodia, and I come to an unmarked fork in the road, I'd like to be able to [a] pedal ~200m down my best-guess of the fork boot this android device in airplane mode [c] quickly get my gps coordinates [d] see where I am on the map [e] determine if I took the correct fork.
Currently, I'm using a Samsung Galaxy S4 (again, no AGPS). If I'm on a roof-top or in a field, I can sit, wait, and *never* get a GPS lock. Not only does it not get a lock, but the GPS Test and/or SatStat apps show that I can't see a single satellite. My guess is it's a hardware issue.
My searching online suggests that the S4 has *great* GPS lock-time, but it's hard to search & find reports from S4 users (or any phone for that matter) that don't use AGPS.
I'm thinking any phone that can run at least Android v3.0 = Honeycomb is fine. An older & lighter phone with a smaller screen is best. Of course, as long as it has a solid GPS chip
TIA!

Nokia 3 GPS won't fix

Hello all, I got a brand new Nokia 3 couple of days ago and today I enabled the location but it doesn't work. The location in the map is jumping like crazy. Even in the country with open sky I am not able to get the accuracy better than 50 metres. The location sometimes improves for couple of seconds but then seemingly resets to the original large error of 100 metres. Battery saver is always off, Location mode: High accuracy.
I tried the following steps:
1) turn Location off and on
2) turn Airplane mode on and off
3) turned the phone off and on again
4) updated Google maps, cleared Google maps cache
5) installed GPS Test app and it shows that the satellite s get poor signal 13 visible, 6 used but only orange quality, no green. Even outside city on flat terrain. An the satellites occasionally disappear.
6) turned of Battery optimization for GPS Test app, Google maps.
Are there any steps you would suggest before I take it back to the shop? Any help is appreciated!

Reply to myself
frant.dobrota said:
Are there any steps you would suggest before I take it back to the shop? Any help is appreciated!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So I tried some more steps following the guide at "Technobezz - How To Fix Android GPS Issues" but with no sucess:
7) run Google Maps in Safe mode
8) clear GPS related apps cache data
9) clear all apps cache data
10) wipe cache partition using recovery mode
None of these additional steps led to success. The GPS position is still hopping like crazy.
I got pointed to a wider problem on another Android forum. The issue is likely due to the use of the Mediatek MT6737 chipset. Mediatek chipsets are infamous for GPS problems for several years. I was not aware of that when buying Nokia 3 as it is my first Android phone. There are many Youtube videos suggesting fixes for various Mediatek based phones, but none of these actually work on my phone or they require root access.

I am confused by the fact that NONE of the reviews I have read had ANY complaint on the GPS performance, except the one at "Trusted Reviews":
GPS proved wildly innacurate, often pinning my location a few streets away in Google Maps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The quoted behavior is basically what I am seeing with my Nokia 3.
This is especially worrying because I had absolutely no issue with my previous budget windows phone. There are no complaints on the GPS quality whatsover. Are the reviewers even trying the GPS outside? Or is this a "standard" behavior on Android phones?
Can any Nokia 3 owner confirm their GPS works flawlessly? There is no hopping, the get GPS FIX quickly and don't lose it?
Am I the only one with my Nokia 3 being defective and should I return it back to the shop? My Nokia 3 GPS (Mediatek MT6737) is constantly getting weak GPS Fix losing it in a few seconds just to get it back for a short period of time rendering it useless!

Hi,first sorry for my English.
I have the same issue with GPS, I return my phone back to customers service, now i recovered it, ans they said "problem solved" . I try the gps 5 min later with google map, and they solved nothing...i have the exact same issue, it is hopeless. I plan to go back again to the customer service.

I had this issue wit nokia 8. On the Nokia forum ( link below ) there are other cases ( at least for Nokia 8 ).
Unfortunately, I returned my phone.
In addition, there is no Nokia response up to this moment regarding this issue that seems to be cross model.
GPS issue on Nokia 8 ( Nokia Forum )
community.phones.nokia.com/support/discussions/topics/7000011883

Hi, I'm having the EXACT same problem on my new Nokia 5. Worse is that I'm a surveyor by profession, so imagine using a phone with messed gps. I've tried all "fix gps issues" suggestions I can find, still not working. I'm definitely returning the phone!
P.S: there is also the really annoying LOUD push message beep at the end of calls. It's so LOUD and ANNOYING, like wth?! Turned off sound notifications I can find, still there.

UPDATE: Nokia GPS Issue FIXED!!
So I did some more digging around and I found this Nokia Forum discussion topic on the same GPS issue: (oops, I'm new on XDA, seems I can't post outside links. No link to Nokia forum then). Anyway, thanks to user1511570178684 who somehow traced the problem to Android 7.1 Battery Optimisation settings. In his/her words: "...Yesterday I disabled battery optimization for LocationServices which seems fixed the issue. Also earlier I disabled optimization for Maps. The Optimization menu is a drop-down in the top right corner under the Battery... One or the other had fixed the problem."
Basically, go to Settings > Battery; from drop-dwn menu at top right, select Battery Optimisation. You'll likely be shown "Not Optimised" list first; change the list to "All Apps" (from drop-down menu), then look for 'LocationServices' and 'Maps'. Change their options to "Don't Optimise". That's it, GPS issue fixed!
My GPS (on Nokia 5) is now working ok. GPS test still takes a minute or two to locate satellites, but accuracy is much better ( up to <5m in open sky), and no more jumping around like Mikey mouse.
I also changed my Location settings to Device Only, so it uses only GPS signals in positioning (instead both GPS, WiFi, network signals, etc, which may introduce errors - never mind that "High Accuracy" nonsense).

kay9 said:
UPDATE: Nokia GPS Issue FIXED!!
Basically, go to Settings > Battery; from drop-dwn menu at top right, select Battery Optimisation. You'll likely be shown "Not Optimised" list first; change the list to "All Apps" (from drop-down menu), then look for 'LocationServices' and 'Maps'. Change their options to "Don't Optimise". That's it, GPS issue fixed!
My GPS (on Nokia 5) is now working ok. GPS test still takes a minute or two to locate satellites, but accuracy is much better ( up to <5m in open sky), and no more jumping around like Mikey mouse.
I also changed my Location settings to Device Only, so it uses only GPS signals in positioning (instead both GPS, WiFi, network signals, etc, which may introduce errors - never mind that "High Accuracy" nonsense).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm also facing the GPS problem with my two-months-old Nokia 5 - the phone doesn't see any satellites. I sent it to Nokia Mobile Care to fix the problem, they returned the phone after a week as "Returned unrepaired - fault not found"
NOT FOUND? Have they even tested it? I doubt that...
Now I tried what you wrote here but it still isn't working I will never buy a Nokia phone again. Two months and no GPS

Question Low GPS Accuracy

Recently I've been experiencing a low GPS accuracy in Google Maps (with the app reporting a low accuracy and offering to try to use the camera to improve it). When I'm trying to navigate in my car, often the reported location will be off by 25 feet or more. This results in navigation giving the "you missed your turn" drum sound when I'm actually going the right direction or nuisance reports saying to make a u-turn, etc. It makes me think it might be relying on cellular A-GPS rather than actual GPS. Up until recently the GPS had been excellent on this phone.
Google Location Accuracy: Improve Location Accuracy is enabled.
Location > "Use location" is enabled.
The Maps app has "Use precise location" enabled.
I feel like this might have started after I upgraded to Android 13, but I wasn't paying close attention, so perhaps not.
Anyone else having GPS problems? Is there any other setting that could cause this? Is there an app that can tell me if I'm using A-GPS rather than real GPS?
EDIT: The "GPS Status" app seems to show that the phone is seeing GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo satellites. Checking inside my car, it claims 9 foot accuracy. Strange.